They were determined to enjoy a horse ride in the sun to raise money for a good cause.

But pals Julie Allen and Carol Thomas found their Examiner Charity Challenge efforts ended up in a hospital drama.

Carol was left in agony with a badly-broken left leg after being kicked by Julie’s horse on the moors above Marsden.

Paramedics finally found them and had to call in the Yorkshire Air Ambulance to airlift injured Carol to hospital.

Now she has undergone complex surgery on her injuries but has vowed to be back in the saddle next year - to raise money for the Air Ambulance.

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Her efforts this year with Julie have so far raised about £500 for Dementia UK, despite the moorland drama.

“I feel so awful,” said Julie, of Meltham.

Charity riders Julie Allen (left) and Carol Thomas before the broken-leg drama

“I had stopped on the track on my horse Phoebe when she was suddenly spooked and kicked out. She caught Carol who was on her horse Tika and she knew immediately her leg was broken.

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“We were up on the moors after riding around the Wessenden valley as part of the Charity Challenge but managed to raise the alarm, through a friend who lived nearby.

“A paramedic got to us after about 30 minutes but realised an ambulance could not get through and called in the helicopter. They came in and landed close by and she was whisked off to hospital.”

A paramedic tends to injured rider Carol Thomas

Carol, who lives at Slaithwaite, had to wait until Thursday for her operation in Huddersfield Royal Infirmary because of cancelled surgery appointments, but the treatment went well. She said the recovery will take a long time.

She is a full time carer for her 16-year-old son who has special needs.

Julie added: “We did the Charity Challenge last year for The Seashell Trust but decided to raise money for Dementia UK this time around, as it was Dementia Week.

Injured rider Carol Thomas is treated by paramedics as the Yorkshire Air Ambulance flies in

TAKE a look at our Charity Challenge 2016 video below

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“We were joined by other riders from Pole Moor Riding Club, who organised the ride and were great at helping us.

“Now we want to do the ride again next year and after all the drama, we’ll raise money for the Air Ambulance.”

To support the pair you can donate at www.virginmoneygiving.com/JulieAllen7

Broken-leg victim Carol Thomas is helped into the Yorkshire Air Ambulance